Алистер Маклин - Dead Halt

“It’s best to clear the air.”

“Best for who though?” Whitlock replied then indicated the kettle on the dresser. “Tea?”

Graham smiled. “I think I’ll stick to creosote, thanks.”

“Coming up,” Whitlock replied, switching on the kettle.

There was a knock at the door and Whitlock answered it to admit Sabrina. Minutes later Eastman arrived and he briefed them about the incident near Euston Station that afternoon.

“So you agree with us now, do you?” Graham said, looking across at Eastman. “You think there will be an attempt on Scoby’s life after all?”

“Nothing would surprise me after the events of the last twenty-four hours,” Eastman replied.

“But where will they try and hit him?” Whitlock asked. “We’ve seen the senator’s itinerary. It’s not exactly a low-profile visit, is it?”

“He’ll be at his most vulnerable when he’s with the mayor on board the pleasure boat tomorrow afternoon,” Graham replied. “I don’t care how tight the security measures will be around the Thames, a good assassin could still take him out.”

“Agreed,” Whitlock said.

“Any chance of cordoning off the boat’s intended route tomorrow afternoon?”

“I suggested that to Senator Scoby last night,” Whitlock replied. “But he wouldn’t have any of it. He’s determined to go ahead with the itinerary as planned.”

“So is the mayor,” Eastman added. “He gave Commander Palmer the usual predictable speech about not giving in to threats of terrorism. We’re just going to have to cope as best we can.”

“And have our letters of resignation ready if the IRA do breach our security measures,” Sabrina said.

The telephone rang. Whitlock spoke briefly to the caller. “That was Fabio. They’ve just got into Heathrow. He thinks they should reach the hotel within the hour.”

Eastman finished his tea. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get back to the Yard. I’m due to give a briefing to my men at eight.”

“Will you be coming back here later?” Whitlock asked.

“That all depends on how long the briefing goes on for. I’ll call you later and let you know what’s happening. If not, I’ll meet Scoby in the morning. That shouldn’t be a problem, should it?”

“You can meet Scoby anytime. I was thinking more of the briefing we’ll be holding after we’ve had a chance to talk to him. But if you can’t make it, no matter. I’ll call you and brief you on the phone.”

“I’ll do my best to get back. But I can’t make any promises.”

“I understand,” Whitlock replied as he walked Eastman to the door.

“I’m starving,” Sabrina announced after Eastman had gone. “I haven’t eaten a thing since breakfast. I think I’ll grab a bite before Scoby gets here.”

“And I’ll call Sergei to let him know what’s happening,” Whitlock said. “Then I can start on the backlog of paperwork I’ve brought with me.”

“Have you eaten yet?” Sabrina asked Graham.

“I guess I could force myself to eat something,” Graham replied, following her to the door.

“Don’t do me any favors,” she replied, looking around at him.

“Get out, both of you,” Whitlock chided good-humoredly. “I’ll let you know when the senator gets here. Bon appétit .”

“It’s a pleasure finally to meet you,” Scoby announced, taking Sabrina’s hand in a gentle but firm handshake. “Mr. Whitlock told me last night that you were to be a part of my security team, but it wasn’t until I read your dossier on the plane that I realized you were George Carver’s daughter. He’s still talked about on Capitol Hill to this day. It’s a pity he was on the wrong side.”

“That all depends on whose side you’re on,” Sabrina replied.

Scoby smiled politely. “So what is your father doing now? The last I heard he’d been appointed chairman of Sellers Marketing in Miami.”

“He retired two years ago. My parents still live in Miami. In Coral Gables.”

“Ah yes, a beautiful part of the city. It must be a good fifteen years now since your father was appointed American ambassador to Britain. I was still a student at Harvard in those days.”

“Actually, it was eighteen years ago,” Sabrina corrected him.

“Really, is it that long ago? And he was here for eight years, I believe. That’s a good innings by any standards.”

“He was a good ambassador,” Sabrina replied quickly.

“I’m sure he was,” Scoby replied without much conviction. He shook Graham’s hand. “Good to have you aboard.”

“Thank you,” Graham replied, tight-lipped.

“Isn’t it strange that you should both have such prominent politicians in your family?” Scoby said. “Your father-in-law was Senator Howard Walsh. ‘Hawk’ Walsh. A fine man.”

“As Sabrina said, that all depends on whose side you’re on,” Graham replied.

“I take it you don’t share the senator’s political views?”

“I don’t share anything with Senator Walsh anymore,” Graham said bitterly. “He’s a narrow-minded, right-wing bigot who should have been dumped by the Republicans years ago.”

Scoby’s smile faltered. “Somehow, I never took you for a liberal.”

Whitlock put a hand lightly on Graham’s arm before he could reply. Tillman noticed the gesture and was quick to catch Scoby’s eye. “The Ambassador and his wife are due here for drinks in half an hour. You said you wanted to change before they arrived.”

“Ray will stay behind and sort out the security arrangements with you,” Scoby said to Whitlock. “And if you should need me for anything, you know where to find me.”

“I’m sure we’ll be able to sort out everything with Mr. Tillman. But thank you anyway,” Whitlock said.

“Where’s Fabio?” Sabrina asked after Whitlock had seen Scoby out.

“He’s making a phone call in his room,” Whitlock replied. “There was a message for him at reception when he checked in. He shouldn’t be long now.”

Paluzzi arrived a few minutes later. “I haven’t been holding up the show, have I?”

“Actually, yes,” Whitlock replied good-humoredly, “but perhaps now we can get down to business.” He removed five folders from his attaché case and handed them around, keeping one for himself. “We’re all familiar with the senator’s schedule for the weekend by now. These folders contain a more detailed timetable of his intended movements. I want the three of you to study it carefully and, together with Inspector Eastman, work out a duty roster for the weekend. Commander Palmer has already detailed a dozen men to work with us. Inspector Eastman’s briefing them now, using this same timetable. They will be answerable to him but, when he’s not there, whichever of you is on duty will automatically assume command.”

“What kind of shifts are we going to work?” Graham asked.

“That’s for you to decide,” Whitlock replied. “There will be a twenty-four-hour guard on the suite so, officially, you’ll be off-duty once the senator’s retired for the night. But one of you will be expected to be on call each night in case something should crop up. This doesn’t involve Eastman as he won’t be sleeping on the premises. Three nights, so you’ll each have one night on call. OK?”

“It is for Eastman,” Paluzzi replied, then looked across at Graham and Sabrina. “If it’s all right with you, I’d prefer to take either tomorrow or Sunday. I’m still recovering from my little excursion to Milford last night.”

“No problem,” Sabrina replied. “I’ll stay on call tonight. I think I’ve had more than enough sleep as it is today.”

Graham nodded. “OK, then I’ll take tomorrow night. Fabio, that leaves you with Sunday night.”